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Monthly Archive: November 2012

Four hundred part-time employees, including adjunct professors, at the Community College of Allegheny County learned two weeks ago they will have less to be thankful for next November as the college is cutting their hours to avoid $6 million in costs associated with the mandates of the Affordable Care Act. ALEX JOHNSON The new law redefines full-time positions as 30 or more hours per week, rather than the traditional 40 hours, and requires employers to provide health insurance for full-time workers, or pay a penalty.

Information Session NOV. 28—The Community College of Allegheny County South Campus will host an Information Session from 6-7:30 p.m. at 1750 Clairton Rd., West Mifflin. There will be information on CCAC’s career and transfer programs, student life activities, student clubs, intramural athletic programs and all the phases of the enrollment process. For more information, call 412-469-4301 or visit http://www.ccac.edu.

Week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 4 November 28 1753—Revolutionary War soldier James Robinson is born in Maryland. Historically, like “40 acres and a mule,” Robinson epitomizes the White man’s false promises to the Black man. Robinson, a slave, was promised his freedom for fighting in America’s War of Independence from Britain. He fought so well that he won a medal for bravery at the Battle of Yorktown. However, after the war he was sold back into slavery. But he did live to see the end of slavery. He died in Detroit, Mich., in 1868.

In a routine traffic stop a young man is shot three times in the chest by a police officer who said he thought the teen driver was going for a gun. Was this a simple traffic stop or were there other reasons for the stop? All the information still hasn’t been released as to what traffic violation. Was it a stop sign, a red light, speeding? Was there a gun? What?

(NNPA)—I remember one of my first jobs. I was a senior in high school in Mount Vernon, N.Y., a suburb of New York City, and I got a job at a sporting goods store. The pay seemed decent, at least that is how I remember it. But what was noteworthy was that older adults worked in the store and had worked in the store for some time. No, I don’t mean retirees who are forced to work because their Social Security is not enough; I mean non-retirees who had made a life for themselves in the retail industry.

(NNPA)—Discussions of the fiscal cliff also include discussions about ways to change Social Security and Medicare benefits in order to save money. One of the proposals is to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70. After all, some argue, there is nothing magic about 65 or 67, so why not push the rate up to 70?

The so-called “fiscal cliff” which received little attention during the presidential campaign is receiving major media attention now. Both Democrats and Republicans deliberately ducked debate on the issue until after the election. The fiscal cliff refers to huge tax increases and across the board spending cuts scheduled to take effect after Jan. 1.

If you’re looking for a tradition of diversity in the Pittsburgh arts scene, you need look no further than the ninth annual Theatre Festival in Black and White. Continuing through Nov. 17, this year’s edition kicks off Pittsburgh Playwright Theatre Company’s 10th season; thus 10 plays. SCENE THREE—Anthony Chisholm and Edwin Lee Gibson in “Comfort Zone” The premise is pretty simple—PPTCO puts out a call for one-act plays. They get a bunch of submissions—60 this year (the most ever). The scripts are reviewed for content, flow, logistics (can it be produced in a small space, what type of props, etc.) and length. From submissions that meet the criteria, selections are made; five from Black playwrights and five from Whites.

Thursday 29 Good People Pittsburgh Public Theater presents “Good People” at 8 p.m. at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District. This play, which is part of the MADE IN AMERICA season, is a 2011 Tony-nominated production by David Lindsay-Abaire. The play is set in Boston and is about a single mother who has lost her job, while rent is due. She attends the party of an ex-boyfriend and his wife, looking for help with finding a job. This a hilarious yet heart wrenching play about what contemporary Americans will do to survive. The show will run through Dec. 9. For more information, call 412-316-1600 or visit http://www.ppt.org.

This week I visited the Blakely Center in the Hill District, Kenny’s Place in Uptown, Ace & Deuces Lounge in Uptown, Galaxy Lounge in Homewood, Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, and Savoy Restaurant and CJ’s, both in the Strip District. Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Mundy having a great time at Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District. My first stop was at the Blakely Center in the Hill District where Toni and Tanesha celebrated their birthdays in grand style with family and friends.